With Christmas just around the corner, shoppers are being urged to get their Christmas goodies locally this year.

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP

The town centres of Rhondda Cynon Taf offer a feast of treats to make sure your festive season goes without a hitch. From stocking fillers to seasonal savouries, your local High Street shops have it all - and at prices to suit your pocket.

Shop local
The jingle of tills in local shops will be music to the ears of traders who are urging everyone to support their local businesses during the festive season. Shopping close to home helps to improve the local economy, as well as being convenient.

Shop festive
And why not tie in your Christmas shopping with one of the many seasonal events taking place in your local town centre? No need to worry about driving or catching the train to the city or the stress of finding car parking spaces when you can get all you need by shopping locally.

Shop for less
Forget about digging deep to pay the city centre parking charges, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced free parking at all of its Pay & Display car parks after 10am the week before Christmas. The free parking will apply at all Rhondda Cynon Taf Pay & Display Car Parks from Monday, December 19 until Saturday, December 24.

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CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT A GLANCE

Tonypandy, Sat 19 Nov
Victorian Market, funfair, performances and workshops from 10.00am. Santa's Grotto 1pm - 6pm. Lantern parade & Christmas lights switch-on at 5.30pm.

Aberdare, Thurs 24 Nov
Santa's Grotto, street entertainers and funfair 2 - 6pm. Reindeer parade and Christmas lights switch on 6.30pm.

Treorchy, Fri 25 Nov
Christmas market and in Boys & Girl Club plus street entertainers and funfair 4 - 7pm Lantern parade at 6.30pm.

Porth, Mon 28 Nov
Christmas service at the Cenotaph at 2.00pm. Santa's Grotto, street entertainers and funfair 2 - 6pm. Reindeer parade and Christmas lights switch-on at 6.30pm.

Tonyrefail, Thurs 1 Dec
Santa's Grotto, street entertainers and funfair 2 - 6pm. Reindeer Parade 6.30pm.

Pontypridd, Sat 3 Dec
Ski Slope, Market & Christmas Animals 10am - 4pm at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.

Mountain Ash, Tues 6 Dec
Christmas Market, Santa's Grotto, local choirs, funfair and street entertainers 3 - 7pm.

Ferndale, Wed 7 Dec
Christmas Market in Tre Rhondda Chapel. Santa's Grotto, funfair and street entertainers in The Strand Car Park 2 - 6pm. Reindeer Parade 6.30pm.

Llantrisant, Wed 14 Dec
Christmas Market 3 - 8pm. Santa's Grotto, funfair and street entertainers 3 - 7pm. Lantern Parade 6.40pm. Carols at the Bull Ring from 8pm.

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RHONDDA HERITAGE PARK

Located south of Porth's bustling town centre and is one of the top heritage and cultural visitor attractions in Wales.



Christmas show
Sat 19 Nov - 24 Dec
Unique festive gift ideas including jewellery, textiles, glass, ceramics, hand turned wood, original artworks and limited edition prints.

Parti Nadolig Porth Sat 19
Nov 10am - 4.30pm
Free entertainment for the children including dancers, stands and Santa in his grotto Festive shopping event Sat 20 Nov A 'one day only' festive event. Enjoy 10% off everything in the Gallery.

Santa's Toy Mine
Sun 20 Nov to Thurs 23 Dec 10am - 5pm.
Fri 24 Dec 10am - 2.30pm
A magical 45 minute underground adventure to discover Santa's secret hide away. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Storytelling with Santa
Mon 21 to Fri 25 Nov 1.30pm & 2.30pm
A magical experience for children up to 6 years. Pre-Booking Essential.

Late night with Santa
Mon 19 to Fri 23 Dec
Tours from 5pm. Last tour 7pm

For more information contact 01443 682036

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Tonypandy

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council launches its packed calendar of County Borough-wide festive events in Tonypandy shopping centre on Saturday, November 19, from 10am.

Attractions include Santa's Grotto, funfair, Christmas workshops and performances, with the Christmas Lights switch-on and Lantern Parade taking place at 5.30pm.

The large pedestrianised shopping area has wonderful cast-iron streetlighting columns and a handsome canopy that connects the town to the car park, lending the street an elegant air.

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Treorchy

A Christmas market is being held in Treorchy on Friday, November 25, with street entertainers and a festive funfair from 4pm. A Lantern Parade will follow at 6.30pm.

Treorchy's main street stretches for nearly a mile along the valley floor and is filled with small shops selling an array of products. Quirky craft shops, high street names and independent boutiques are nestled among an assortment of cafés and bars.

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Tonyrefail

Santa's Reindeer Parade moves to Tonyrefail on Thursday, December 1, with street entertainers and loads of festive fun taking place from 2pm.

The Parade through the streets starts at 6.30pm, with hundreds of people expected to line the route.



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Llantrisant

The Christmas market moves to the unique Llantrisant hill-top town on Wednesday, December 14, from 3pm onwards.

This quaint town with its traditional shops, Santa's Grotto, street entertainers and a funfair will keep all the family amused this Christmas.

The Llantrisant Lantern Parade will begin at 6.40pm, followed by a Christmas Carol Service in the Bull Ring from 8pm.

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Ferndale

The fun switches to Ferndale on Wednesday, December 7, with a Christmas Market, street entertainers and fun fair from 2pm onwards, culminating with the ever-popular Reindeer Parade at 6.30pm.

The busy High Street has a lively array of traditional shops, welcoming cafés and lively local life.

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Porth

Santa's Reindeer Parade launches the festive season in Porth on Monday, November 28, with the procession through the streets and the lights switch-on at 6.30pm.

A Christmas Carol Service will take place at the Cenotaph at 2pm, followed by street entertainers and a festive funfair. Porth's refurbished shopping centre offers a range of traditional shops and cafes with ample parking facilities.